New Delhi | Feb 26,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
Railways to Hire 5000 Ex-Servicemen as Pointsmen:
Indian Railways has announced plans to recruit more than 5,000 ex-servicemen as Pointsmen on a contractual basis to fast-track vacancy fulfilment across zones. The move comes under a newly introduced cooperation framework with the Indian Army aimed at supporting retired soldiers and Agniveers transitioning into civilian careers, the Ministry of Railways said on Thursday.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to create structured second-career opportunities for defence personnel while strengthening operational manpower within the Railways.
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Framework of Cooperation Between Railways and Army
The recruitment drive falls under a newly established ‘Framework of Cooperation’ between the Railways and the Army. The objective is to ensure a smoother shift from military service to civilian employment by building a dedicated support system for retiring personnel.
Under this arrangement, ex-servicemen will be appointed as Pointsmen across various Railway zones on a contract basis until regular recruitment processes are completed.
More than 5,000 Level-1 posts are currently being processed at Zonal and Divisional levels. So far, nine Railway Divisions have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with concerned Army organisations to facilitate the hiring process.
Army recruiting units have also been directed to coordinate closely with Railway Divisions to expedite appointments.
Reservation Policy for Ex-Servicemen and Agniveers
The Ministry highlighted that welfare and resettlement of retired armed forces personnel already form a key part of Railway policy.
To strengthen this commitment:
• 10% horizontal reservation is provisioned for ex-servicemen in Level-2 and above posts.
• 20% reservation is provided in Level-1 posts.
• Additionally, 5% reservation in Level-2 and above posts and 10% in Level-1 posts are earmarked specifically for ex-Agniveers.
In 2024 and 2025 alone, a total of 14,788 posts were reserved for ex-servicemen in Railway vacancy notifications. This included:
• 6,485 posts in Level-1
• 8,303 posts in Level-2 and above categories.
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How Recruitment Is Conducted
Recruitment to Level-1 posts (earlier known as Group D) is conducted through Railway Recruitment Centres. Meanwhile, Level-2 and higher posts are filled by Railway Recruitment Boards through competitive examinations.
The contractual hiring of ex-servicemen as Pointsmen is expected to bridge immediate workforce gaps while regular recruitment procedures continue.
Supporting National Development Goals
The broader framework underscores a shared commitment between Indian Railways and the Indian Army to provide meaningful employment opportunities to veterans while contributing to national infrastructure development.
By leveraging the discipline, training and experience of former defence personnel, the Railways aims to enhance efficiency at the operational level, particularly in safety-sensitive roles like Pointsmen.
Officials described the initiative as a “win-win” model — ensuring dignified employment for veterans and timely manpower support for one of the world’s largest rail networks.
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